Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-01-09
ANCIENT VEsUViUS.
FOcnItaT1iies of the Eruption when
heSIrOyed Two large Ciiics.

iCbuADmBtl AtNANNt
IN the first century of our era, and doubt
less for many previous generations, Ncsu'
wins was what would nov be called an eX-
tinct volcano. Rising some 1900 feet above
the sea, it formed notable landmark in one
of the faiIest landscapes OF the Romln en-
pirc. It's slopes were richly cultivated,
save around the summit, where the loose
volcanic cinders had not been covered by
the mantle OF vegetation that during the
previous centuries had gradually been
creeping up the mountain. The barren
crest surrounded a deep crater, whose
rugged walls, tapestred with wild vines,
iucloScd the level space IN which sparta
Gus and his 5000 companions encamped. In
tellipepi observers had noticed the pr00a'
bic volcanic origin OF the mountain. aud
tradition spoke OF ITS having formerly
emitted FIRE. Bat 10 the surrounding III
habitantS il gave no sense insecurity. The
peasantS planted their vines up It's slopes
and the weather. Romans travelled TO
battle in the warm springs that stu
issue not far from it, roots and 10
enjoy q balmy climate Of that IA
yorcd region. At last a succession
of earthquakes, some Of them OF
considerable violence, continued during 4
period Of sixteen years to shake the Nc'u-
Wan Campanil. Some OF the towns around
The mountain were considerably damaged.
4 Pompciian inscription records that the
Temple Of Isis in that town had II be re-
built from the very foundations. The SUBJ
tCrranean commO,ion cuimina'ed ~ the
great explosion, which, in the year 1879,
blew out the southern half Of the upper
part of the cone of Nesuvius. seen from
The west side Of the Bay OF Naples in the
early hours of the eruption, the cloud
Of steam and iragmentmy materials
that issued from the mountain rose
in huge volume, which spread
out at the top like the branches OF
an Italian pine tree. In the immediate
ncighbOrhOOd OF the volcano cinderS aud
pieces Of ''burnng rock FELL in contin-
uous shower, gradually filing up the streets
anG open spaces OF the town, crushing in
the roofs and driving the inhabitants 10 the
fields. Violent earthquakes accompanying
the successive volcanic discharges shook
and shattered the houses and Kept the sea
IN cOmmoliOn. 80 vast was the quantity
Of ashes and stones thrown out tuat the
country for miles around was covered with
dfjIiA. For three days 'he air continued
50 loaded with fine dat that darkness; rs
Of night overSpread The landscape. When
I
bad disappeared under u deep covering OF
white ashes that Law on the ground like
snow. The main portion Of the volcanic
detrius was, no doubt, elected the earlier
stages Of Tue eruption, a. may Ice inferred
from the fact that the body OF The elder
Phny lwho, aitcrthe courtyard OF the house
in " hich he had been Sleeping was nearly
shoked up with fallen ashes and stones, had
reireated 10 the fields was found three
DAYS later, lying where he had fallen, aud
not concealed by the dust that bad settled
doWnin the interval. There is no evidence
that ANY lava was emitted during the erup-
ton. But the red.hOt stones and the glare
from the crater upon the oyerhanging pail
OF cloud probably show that molten lava
rose 10 The surface IN the vent OF the
volcano, while much OF the impalpaOle
! dust that filed The air was no doubt
| due to the explosions Of Supcrheated
vapors Ly which successive portions
| of the rising column OF lava were
| blown out. Though the Inflated region
| was spared the destruction which would
have been caused by the outflow Of streams
Of lava, II was in some places near the base
| OF Nesuyius invaded 10y rivers OF thick,
pasty mud, produced by the condensation
| of tie dense clouds Of yapOr and the ming-
| hing Of the water with the fine volcanic
ashes. These mud torrents swept over
Hercuaneum, buIyine II TO depth Of tfty
feet or more. At POmpei also the heavy
rain seems TO have formed similar mud,
which ran down Into the Easements OF the
| houses aud quickly developed the human
victims who had taken refuge there.